Colborne Lodge - Toronto, Ontario

Mike T.

Really enjoyed my visit. The house is beautiful piece of history full of unique historical items, and it's set in beautiful High Park.
Andrew our guide was awesome. Full of knowledge and a great sense of humor. Very entertaining the tour is well worth taking.

Yoko

I’m super glad we accidentally stumbled across this free museum and decided to check it out! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and it was great being able to learn a bit more history about the city and what life was like in the 1800s. I highly recommend dropping by if you’re already at high park.

Lucas C.

Colborne Lodge is one of those rare places where you can truly feel Toronto’s past come alive. This preserved 1837 Regency-style cottage offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of John and Jemima Howard — the visionary couple who gifted the park to the city.

The guided tours are excellent: knowledgeable, friendly staff bring every room and artifact to life with stories that connect the Howards’ world to the Toronto we know today.

Olga R.

Построенный в 1836 году городским геодезистом Джоном Джорджем Говардом, чтобы разместить себя и свою жену Джемиму Фрэнсис Мейкл, Colborne Lodge находится на вершине холма с видом на озеро Онтарио. Дом является классическим примером коттеджного стиля Regency, и это было одно из первых таких зданий в этом районе. В музее представлены предметы интерьера 1800-х годов, используя большую часть собственной мебели и произведений искусства Говарда. У Говарда и его жены не было детей, и поэтому они передали имущество городу в 1873 году в обмен на постоянную пенсию. Он продолжал жить в доме до своей смерти в 1890 году. Дополнительная земля была приобретена городом в 1873 и 1930 годах, тем самым расширив парк до нынешних 399 акров (161 га).
Ну вы поняли, что я все взяла с Википедии, да. В общем стоящее место и парк отличный. С собой обязательно надо взять плед, орехи, семечки, вкусняшки для белок, бурундуков и птиц. Перекус для себя. Можно взять и удочку, рыба там ловится.

EK T.

Fun experience for us! Catherine (the tour guide) was knowledgeable about every little thing/detail about the house and its history. She’s wonderful! We were just randomly walking and weren’t planning on doing this visit because we didn’t know about it but we were like, why not! So glad we went 😇

EelamRose C.

We have been going to High Park over 20+ years but never went into this museum. It’s was very interesting to learn more about High Park history.

From Colborne Lodge:

Colborne Lodge, now a museum, is the historic 1837 home of John and Jemima Howard, the couple who founded High Park. It is a rare North American example of a Regency picturesque building, which is more common in Britain. Designed to compliment the natural world, Colborne Lodge sits comfortably among High Parks beauty and includes 19th-century recreated gardens, a Coach House and the Howards' Tomb. The muse um also displays much of the Howard's original furnishings and watercolours. Following Howard's death in 1890, the property and surrounding land was donated to the City of Toronto with the condition that the surrounding land would remain free to use, remain untouched and be used exclusively for the enjoyment of residents.

It’s an important part of the community

Thank you for keeping the community together and sharing this beautiful place with us all. We owe to the Howard family 💕

Anna P.

The Colborne Lodge has reopened after renovations, and it is open from Wednesday to Sunday during guided tours offered at 11.30, 1.30 and 3.30. Admission is free.
It is a delightful place to visit. guided tours are lead by knowledgeable staff who shares history of the building and its inhabitants (Mr and Mrs Howard who purchased the land in 1830s, and whose endowment originated what we now call the High Park).
The rooms are restored to look like they did nearly 200 years ago. While the original furniture and decorations were lost, the house is full of authentic beautiful artefacts from that period.
The Coach House (right next door) remains open (also Wed-Sun) from 11am to 4pm. It houses some temporary displays (currently: medicine of the Victorian era) and a permanent exhibit dedicated to John G. Howard, his professional achievements and also history of Toronto.
The Museum also offers special seasonal events - like upcoming Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories at Colborne Lodge (December 7,8 and 14,15).

Sean C.

A nice little piece of local history available for free to the public, with guided tours several times daily. I would recommend though that they advertise a bit more and also find a way to appeal to the younger crowd. Perhaps some sort of games or scaveger hunt could achieve this. Still, all in all an important part of Toronto's history.